Question: I recently bought a house that has an ADT home alarm system of a fairly
modern vintage (I believe it is called a Vista 10 model) for which the
previous owners had a monitoring contract with ADT. While I may like to
eventually have that service, other things remain a higher priority for
financial reasons. I have been using it in "local" mode so that I would at
least be awakened by an alarm before I was killed, :-(. I have been doing
some renocvation and would like to make some changes in the configuration
(for example, move a sensor from one door to another and relabel it in the
system). Only the simplest of operations are covered in the owners manual
and certain features seem to be disabled (I can't even change the previous
owners master code by following the owner's manual directions). I wonder
if there are any more detailed configuration manuals available anywhere
(electronic or paper) and if a special device is required to program the
system. ADT, wanting to sell monitoring, doesn't even seem to want
to give you the time of day unless you can provide a phone number which
relates to a monitoring contract. Any information would be appreciated.
What is An ADT home alarm system for?
Answer:The system installed in your house was, most probably, leased from ADT
by the previous owner. Under the laws of most states, the system
remains the property of the alarm company even when the home is sold.
You have no obligation to ADT, and can feel free to remove the system
from your home and call ADT to pick up their equipment. However, it
looks as though you intend on using the system without paying for it.
If this is the case, I can hardly blame the alarm company for refusing
to help you. According to their records, the system likely still
belongs to the old homeowner and you have no legal claim to it.
To answer your questions: The system is most likely ADT's version of
Ademco's Vista 10 which is a fairly low-end 6 zone residential panel.
It can be programmed locally, but you'd need the installation manual.
It also sounds like the code that you are using isn't really the
master code.
